Andreas Meinhardt and Daniel Abendroth show in this video the idea, the concept, the application, the technical background and the prototype of HAGENT.The Black Box searches for heat with thermal senses. It can indentify and absorbe the surplus energy from heat emitting sources. It stores, moves and releases the energy on places where the heat is needed.

This video is based on the presentation charts of the entry documents that has been submitted to the design competition.

Andreas Meinhardt and Daniel Abendroth show in this video the basic idea of HAGENT.The Black Box searches for heat with thermal senses. It can indentify and absorbe the surplus energy from heat emitting sources. It stores, moves and releases the energy on places where the heat is needed.

This video was added as an optional part to the entry documents that has been submitted to the design competition. It is the more entertaining version of the HAGENT concept. The footage was taken around Stuttgart in January 2011

Andreas Meinhardt and Daniel Abendroth show in this video the first part of the development of HAGENT. The simple mockup is based on a plywood frame and a control unit borrowd from a modified Segway. It just controls the speed of the wheels. As you see the lack of sensors causes a lot of fun.

The final prototype was exhibited at Les Arts Décoratifs in Paris Oktober 2011Daniel Abendroth & Andreas Meinhardt received for HAGENT the 2nd Prize from the Fondation d'Enterprise Hermès in the International Design Competition of Prix Émile Hermès 2011.

Andreas Meinhardt and Daniel Abendroth show in this video the 2nd part of the development of HAGENT. The Ultrasonic sensors and a new control unit were added to the basic mokup. Now HAGENT is able to move autonomously and can detect and prevent collisions.

This is the 3rd part of the development of HAGENT. The thermal sensor is separated from the system. Daniel and Andreas are playing "Heat detection" with a Hot Air Gun. In addtion they are testing sensor activity while covered with textiles. First ideas to detect bodyheat have been rejected after they found out that there are so many heat emitters within this temperature range (sun reflections, Monitors, machines...). Because they wanted to have a more predictable test set up they decided to raise temperature sensivity up to 140°C and test the movements with infrared lamps.

This is the 4th part of the development of HAGENT. Final adjustments and finishing were made to the completed prototype. Of course this was done till early in the morning before heading to Paris and deliver the prototype at the Fondation d'Enterprise Hermès :)

Hagent: Renderings - Images - Photos - Grafics

mobile passive heating
The mobile black box is a passive heating system. It searches with thermal sensors for heat sources emitting surplus energy. It absorbes the heat with its black colour. The black box stores it till a certain temperature is reached in a buffer consisting of Phase Change Materials. After the temperature drops under a defined threshold the buffer releases the heat.
HAGENT searches and collects unused heat and takes it to places where it will be needed.

HAGENT - Prix Émile Hermès - Andreas Meinhardt Daniel Abendroth

Daniel Abendroth & Andreas Meinhardt received for HAGENT the 2nd Prize from the Fondation d'Enterprise Hermès in the International Design Competition of Prix Émile Hermès 2011.

HAGENT - Prix Émile Hermès - Rendering - Idea - Daniel Abendroth

Heat is existential for humans. It gives and preserves life, spends security. It influences our emotions and is an energy supplier. Heat is life
In many civilizations we have not cultivated the efficient use of heat. On one hand we spend a lot of energy producing heat on the other hand we don´t use existing heat sources. On top we are wasting already produced heat by using additional energy to cool it down again. As we are searching for heat we may find many sources: In ourself, our houses, our cities, at work, in nature, in products and our whole environment.
Even our planet mostly consists of heat. Not least the sun, our primarily provider of heat

HAGENT - Prix Émile Hermès - Rendering - Gathering - Daniel Abendroth

We send out agents for searching. While gathering around the emitting object the heat source will become visible. The black box agents absorbe and store the surplus of heat. Fully charged they will find new places and shapes to return the heat in a useful way

HAGENT- Prix Émile Hermès - Rendering - Iglu - Daniel Abendroth

The black box has a functional shape as it is the single entity of stackable self-referring cube system. 8 small cubes can be 1 bigger cube with 8-times capacity. But we see the black box also in a figurative sense as a wild-card because there are more or less advanced technologies to solve the heat exchange and storage process. From low-tech ancient pot-boiler stones to high-tech materials.
Idee

The H-AGENT is a practical appliance based on the idea and the concept. It is a mobile passive heating system that can be used for interieur climatisation purposes. Some parts of a building become very hot by direct sun radiation. The H-AGENT absorbes heat and helpes hereby coooling the exposed space. This scenario may happen in an office environment in the daytime.

Loaded with heat the H-BOX can move to other parts of the building. At a later date the H-BOX releases the heat in spaces that are in need for additional heating. This may serves leisure activties in the evening and saves unnecessary energy consumption

HAGENT - Prix Émile Hermès - Rendering - Grid - Daniel Abendroth

HAGENT - Prix Émile Hermès - Rendering - Assembly - Daniel Abendroth

The construction concept of the H-AGENT comprises a infrared thermal sensor, a control unit, electric motor, two driven wheels, one rotating wheel, a package of PCM- phase change material and the black box cover

HAGENT - Prix Émile Hermès - Rendering - Details - Daniel Abendroth

The construction concept of the H-AGENT comprises a infrared thermal sensor, a control unit, electric motor, two driven wheels, one rotating wheel, a package of PCM- phase change material and the black box cover

PCM - Phase change materials are already used in static building parts for climatisation of passive houses. Their basic function is to substitute the heat storage capacity of massive building construction parts.
Over a certain temperature level the PCM absorbs heat whilst changing its physical condition. If the air temperature drops under the threshold the PCM releases the heat whilst regaining its original physical state.
And as they are also more lightweight their usage is predestined for mobile appliances.

HAGENT - Prix Émile Hermès - Prototype_Mokup_dabendroth

The simple mockup is based on a plywood frame and a control unit borrowd from a modified Segway. It just controls the speed of the wheels. At this stage of development the lack of sensors causes a lot of fun

HAGENT - Prix Émile Hermès - Prototype - Electronics Daniel Abendroth

The simple mockup is based on a plywood frame and a control unit borrowd from a modified Segway. It just controls the speed of the wheels. At this stage of development the lack of sensors causes a lot of fun

HAGENT - Prix Émile Hermès - Prototype - Base - Daniel Abendroth

HAGENT - Prix Émile Hermès - Prototype - Structure - Daniel Abendroth

The Ultrasonic sensors and a new control unit were added to the basic mokup. Now HAGENT is able to move autonomously and can detect and prevent collisions

HAGENT - Prix Émile Hermès - Prototype - Modules - Daniel Abendroth

Final adjustments and finishing were made to the completed prototype. Of course this was done till early in the morning before heading to Paris and deliver the prototype at the Fondation d'Enterprise Hermès